Abstract: A crop delivery system for a harvester including a vessel positioned in a harvester for securing a crop therein. A first tube has a first angled orientation and configured to receive the crop from the vessel. A second tube has a second angled orientation. A transition area is positioned between the first tube and the second tube. A continuous belt extends from the first tube to the second tube. A portion of the belt carrying the crop between the first tube and the second tube is structurally supported and substantially covered by the first tube, the second tube and the transition area. The transition area includes a roller positioned substantially transverse to the first tube and the second tube and in contact with the belt, the roller forming a substantially flat bend area in the belt for transitioning the belt from the first angled orientation to the second angled orientation.

Abstract: An improved baler and a method of using the improved baler to produce high density bales. The baler comprises a pick-up assembly configured to pick-up crop material; a compression assembly comprising at least one pair of opposing compression rollers configured to generate a pressure on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers; and a bale chamber, wherein the pre-compressed crop forms a bale. The compression rollers define an adjustable gap therebetween. By adjusting the gap, pressure exerted on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers may be controlled, resulting in bales of varying density.

Abstract: An improved baler and a method of using the improved baler to produce high density bales. The baler comprises a pick-up assembly configured to pick-up crop material; a compression assembly comprising at least one pair of opposing compression rollers configured to generate a pressure on the crop material sufficient to crush the nodes as it passes between the compression rollers; and a bale chamber, wherein the crushed crop forms a bale. The compression rollers define an adjustable gap therebetween. By adjusting the gap, a pressure sufficient to crush the nodes of the crop may be exerted on the crop material as it passes between the compression rollers may be controlled, resulting in bales of higher density than conventional bales.

Abstract: The non-row sensitive corn harvesting unit utilizes a tine wheel tilted to have tines that extend forwardly and downwardly into a side region of a stalk receiving area bounded by a row divider and which move along an upward and rearward trajectory toward a moving stalk handling element bounding an inlet of a stalk processing or picking channel, for pushing stalks toward the path of the handling element, such that the stalk will be grasped and carried into the channel, providing enhanced non-row sensitivity as well as handling of downed stalks. A companion tine wheel can be provided on the opposite side of the receiving area and function in the same manner.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes a telescoping boom extending outwardly from the vehicle. An attachment is operably connected to the boom, the attachment including opposed forks configured to be both urgable toward each other and urgable away from each other. The attachment is configured to be positionable over and substantially laterally surround at least one pair of round bales arranged substantially side by side and having corresponding diameters in close proximity of each other. The opposed forks are urgable toward each other with sufficient compressive force applied to opposed portions of the diameters of the at least one pair of round bales, at least elastically deforming the cylindrical profile of at least one of the at least one pair of round bales, so that the at least one pair of round bales can be vertically lifted and manipulated by at least the boom to a predetermined destination.

Abstract: A wheel-supported frame for an agricultural harvester header having a tongue and a pivotally connected transverse frame, a retractable transport wheel connected to the tongue, and a pivoting mechanism for pivoting one of the supporting wheels approximately 90 degrees to align with the deployed transport wheel. The invention enables the harvester to be easily reconfigured between an operating configuration and a transport configuration. By rotating the transverse frame to align its transverse width with the direction of travel during transport, deploying the transport wheel, and aligning one of the normal support wheels with the transport direction of travel, the harvester is reoriented for transport along its lateral axis. The lateral transport apparatus is easily reconfigured by a single individual and requires no additional equipment beyond that integral to the harvester in order to reconfigure the harvester between transport and operational modes.

Abstract: A system for push-steering an implement includes a pair of links, each link connecting the implement to a front portion of a motorized vehicle. Each link of the pair of connected links between the motorized vehicle and the implement is non parallel to each other. In response to the motorized vehicle traveling at a first predetermined steering angle, a traction element developed between at least two wheels of the implement and the driving surface rotatably urges one link toward a predetermined offset angle in a rotational direction opposite of the first predetermined steering angle. The pair of links simultaneously rotatably urges the implement to be steered toward a second predetermined steering angle in the same rotational direction as the first predetermined steering angle. The predetermined offset angle and second predetermined steering angle define a substantially stable position in response to the first predetermined steering angle.

Abstract: A system for loading a bale in a continuous storage bag includes a structure configured and disposed to releasably dispense the bag in response to receiving a bale directed inside the structure, the directed bale being inserted inside the bag. A bale wagon receives the bale and a push-off member directs the bale inside the structure from the bale wagon. A first member is selectably movable between a first position and a second position with respect to the bale wagon to selectably secure the bale wagon to the structure.

Abstract: A system for unloading bales from a bale wagon including a mobile trailer frame and a bed frame pivotably movable with respect to the trailer frame between a first position for receiving bales and a second position for unloading bales. A push-off member is provided for pushing bales off of the bed frame when the bed frame is in the second position. A pushing device is connected to the trailer frame. The push-off member is selectably connectable to the pushing device when the bed frame is in the second position. The push-off member is disconnected from the pushing device when the bed frame is not in the second position.

Abstract: The non-row sensitive corn harvesting unit utilizes a tine wheel tilted to have tines that extend forwardly and downwardly into a side region of a stalk receiving area bounded by a row divider and which move along an upward and rearward trajectory toward a moving stalk handling element bounding an inlet of a stalk processing or picking channel, for pushing stalks toward the path of the handling element, such that the stalk will be grasped and carried into the channel, providing enhanced non-row sensitivity as well as improved handling of downed stalks. A companion tine wheel can be provided on the opposite side of the receiving area and function in the same manner.

Abstract: A wheel-supported frame for an agricultural harvester header having a tongue and a pivotally connected transverse frame, a retractable transport wheel connected to the tongue, and a pivoting mechanism for pivoting one of the supporting wheels approximately 90 degrees to align with the deployed transport wheel. The invention enables the harvester to be easily reconfigured between an operating configuration and a transport configuration. By rotating the transverse frame to align its transverse width with the direction of travel during transport, deploying the transport wheel, and aligning one of the normal support wheels with the transport direction of travel, the harvester is reoriented for transport along its lateral axis. The lateral transport apparatus is easily reconfigured by a single individual and requires no additional equipment beyond that integral to the harvester in order to reconfigure the harvester between transport and operational modes.

Abstract: A movable frame for connection to a prime mover that supports multiple individual similar implements in a manner similar to the manner each would be singly connected in a trail-behind implement pulled by a prime mover, but maintains relative positioning between the implements sufficiently to enable the multiple implements to function as a single, larger implement. The frame allows individual implements to be positioned generally transversely in an operating position for travel in a first direction providing maximum operating width, and generally longitudinally in a transport position for travel in a direction opposite to the first direction in which the overall with of the implements on the frame is minimized to three meters or less.

Abstract: A compact epicyclic drive includes a pinion rotatable about a ring gear and an eccentric element fixedly connected to the pinion so as to be rotated thereby, a knife head bearing supported on and extending around the eccentric element, and a knife head assembly connected in driving relation to a sickle knife assembly. The knife head assembly includes an element supported on and extending around the knife head bearing and configured so as to transfer sidewardly directed components of rotations of the eccentric element into sideward reciprocating movements of the sickle knife assembly. The eccentric element, knife head bearing, and knife head assembly are generally flat and axially coextensive, contributing to the compactness of the drive. The sickle drive is adapted to incorporated into or beneath a floor or pan of a header of an agricultural harvesting machine.

Abstract: A compact epicyclic drive includes a pinion rotatable about a ring gear and an eccentric element fixedly connected to the pinion so as to be rotated thereby, a knife head bearing supported on and extending around the eccentric element, and a knife head assembly connected to a sickle knife assembly. The knife head assembly is configured so as to translate rotation of the eccentric element into sideward reciprocating movements of the sickle knife assembly, and to transfer forces resulting from the movements to a housing supporting the drive. Two of the drives can be utilized for reciprocatingly driving two of the sickle knife assemblies in opposite directions, such that the transferred forces will at least partially cancel one another.

Abstract: A carousel merger is provided that is designed to replace existing belt conveyor devices. The carousel merger device has a crop receiving passageway which extends through a top surface of the carousel merger device toward a bottom surface of the carousel merger device. The crop receiving passageway has a plurality of crop receiving regions and a crop flow region. The crop receiving regions have arcuate sidewalls, support plates rotatably mounted to the bottom surface and blades mounted to the support plates. The crop flow region is provided adjacent the crop receiving regions with a portion of the crop flow region extending through the crop receiving regions. The crop flow region has a back wall opposite from the arcuate sidewalls of the crop receiving regions. A discharge is in communication with the crop flow region.

Abstract: An epicyclical drive having a generally flat, disk shaped flywheel, a flywheel to pinion carrier in the form of an inner hub of the flywheel, and a flywheel support bearing and structure incorporated into the flywheel itself, all of which are concentric about a rotational axis of the flywheel so as to be axially compact, and so as to be particularly well adapted for being located beneath, or incorporated into, the floor of a grain header of an agricultural harvesting machine, for reciprocatingly driving knife knives of a sickle thereof. In particular, the flywheel support bearing is located in an annular space between the inner hub and an outer flange which is rotated by a belt or other drive for rotating the flywheel.

Abstract: An automatically actuating apparatus for engaging an implement to an ASAE S278.6 three-point hitch quick coupler utilizing a pivoting motion about an upper hitch point and an automatic latching mechanism to engage and retain lower hitch pins that simplifies connection of an implement. The mechanism also includes a mechanism for automatically engaging the PTO driveline between a tractor and a powered implement as the implement is engaged with the hitch.

Abstract: A carousel merger is provided that is designed to replace existing belt conveyor devices. The carousel merger device has a crop receiving passageway which extends through a top surface of the carousel merger device toward a bottom surface of the carousel merger device. The crop receiving passageway has a plurality of crop receiving regions and a crop flow region. The crop receiving regions have arcuate sidewalls, support plates rotatably mounted to the bottom surface and blades mounted to the support plates. The crop flow region is provided adjacent the crop receiving regions with a portion of the crop flow region extending through the crop receiving regions. The crop flow region has a back wall opposite from the arcuate sidewalls of the crop receiving regions. A discharge is in communication with the crop flow region.

Abstract: A lever-operated PTO shaft connection mechanism for use with a three-point hitch quick coupler that aligns and engages the PTO driveline between a tractor and a powered implement.

Abstract: A compact epicyclic drive includes a pinion rotatable about a ring gear and an eccentric element fixedly connected to the pinion so as to be rotated thereby, a knife head bearing supported on and extending around the eccentric element, and a knife head assembly connected in driving relation to a sickle knife assembly. The knife head assembly includes an element supported on and extending around the knife head bearing and configured so as to transfer sidewardly directed components of rotations of the eccentric element into sideward reciprocating movements of the sickle knife assembly. The eccentric element, knife head bearing, and knife head assembly are generally flat and axially coextensive, contributing to the compactness of the drive. The sickle drive is adapted to incorporated into or beneath a floor or pan of a header of an agricultural harvesting machine.